Visiting Meteora’s monasteries, built atop towering rock formations that seem to float between heaven and earth, is an incredible experience. To make the most of your 48 hours, this 2 day Meteora itinerary provides a clear plan. It focuses on the most visually stunning monasteries and direct you to the best photo spots, eliminating the planning complexities so your short journey is unforgettable.
Overview
Know Before You Go
Before we jump into the day-by-day plan, here are a few crucial things you need to know to ensure your trip goes smoothly.
Entry to Meteora Monasteries
Entry fee
Entry fees to most monasteries are 3 euros per person – no more, no less! Children up to 12 years old do not pay entrance fees at the monasteries. You can buy tickets only in cash!
Tickets
Don’t try to find tickets online or from unknown persons or companies if you’re not going on a guided tour. To buy tickets, just arrive early. You will not need to wait in line for too long; the queue moves fast, especially if you follow the dress code. You can buy tickets in cash at the door of each Monastery!
Dress code for visiting Meteora monasteries
Women and girls
Women and Girls must wear long SKIRTS, cover their shoulders, and elbows, if you don’t have skirts or arm covers, use scarves to make something that looks like covers. If you have nothing, scarves will be provided at the monastery entrance.
Men
Men must wear long pants that cover their knees and a T-shirt that covers their shoulders.
2 Day Meteora Itinerary
Highligts
Before diving in – plan smart and follow schedules mentioned in the itinerary or the official site!
Day 1
Summary: The first day in Meteora, starting with exploring some of the most beautiful and popular monasteries, then capturing the beauty of Meteora landscape. You’ll find parking spots along the roadside.
Holy Monastery of Rousanos
The Monastery of Roussanou, or Agia Varvara in Greek, is a stunning historical site in Meteora, Greece, dating back to the 14th century. Roussanou was believed to have been the name of the first hermit-monk who settled on the rock during that time. This unique monastery is essentially one single structure that occupies the entire cliff surface, giving the impression that it was intricately carved from the rock itself. Read more about it at Visit Meteora.
On the route toward the Monasteries of Varlaam and Great Meteoron, your first stop is the Holy Monastery of Rousanos. It offers one of the most spectacular views in Meteora—a classic image of a monastery perched on a rock. From certain angles, it seems impossible to access, as if it’s floating with no way to explore it up close. However, the monastery is indeed open to visitors.
Holy Monastery of Rousanos working times
Summer Schedule (April 1st to October 31st) – 09:00 – 15:30 (3:30 PM)
Closed on Wednesdays!
Winter Schedule (November 1st to March 31st) – 09:30 – 14:00 (2:00 PM)
Closed on Wednesdays!
Holy Monastery of the Great Meteoron
Holy Monastery of The Great Meteoron is the bigest and oldest of all monasteries in Meteora. It was called the monastery, which remains “suspended” (meteoro in Greek), because of the cliff formation of a gigantic rock on top of which it was built. Read more about it at Visit Meteora.
This monastery is the one you will walk for longer, the territory is big and you will find some really cool things about history, life and the old times there, such as the ‘elevator’, how they did that, beautiful rooms and hallways, and a lot of places to rest after you climb the beautiful stairs to the monastery.
The Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron is also a very good spot to take a look at Monastery of Varlaam from a different perspective.
Holy Monastery of the Great Meteoron working times
Summer Schedule (April 1st to October 31st) – 09:30 – 15:00 (3:00 PM)
Closed on Tuesdays!
Winter Schedule (November 1st to March 31st) – 09:30 to 14:00(2:00 PM)
Closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays!
Monastery of Varlaam
Monastery of Varlaam is the second largest and one of the most captivating monasteries in Meteora and it’s the last stop of monasteries on this Meteora journey, because it the last to close. It offers some really stunning views, beautiful architecture and at some places it’s a good viewpoint of The Monastery Of The Great Meteoron.
Monastery of Varlaam features a beautiful museum that showcases a wealth of valuable relics, exquisite art, and ancient manuscripts, offering a glimpse into its rich history. Read more about it at Visit Meteora.
Visiting this monastery is highly recommended during a trip to Meteora.
Monastery of Varlaam working times
Summer Schedule (April 1st to October 31st) – 09:00 – 15:00 (3:00 PM)
Closed on Fridays!
Winter Schedule (November 1st to March 31st) – 09:30 to 14:00(2:00 PM)
Closed on Thursdays, Fridays!
Viewpoint Meteora
This viewpoint can get crowded because tour buses stop here for about 15 minutes. Once a bus departs, you’ll practically have the place to yourself. You might even be the only one there. There is this rock where you can jump on and take amazing photos with no one in sight.
This viewpoint brings you closer to the rock formations, and while it’s at a lower elevation, this proximity makes the experience more special. There is a higher viewpoint further up the road, but it’s always crowded. From there, you are just looking down on the landscape rather than feeling immersed in it.
Ιερά Μονή Υπαπαντής του Χριστού
This is a monastery built on a clifface, there is no much information about it but if you drive or walk by Άγαλμα Παπαθύμιου Βλαχάβα, you may catch some really interesting sights.
Sunset views
If you’re up for it, you can catch the sunset at the Main Observation Deck of Meteora. While this viewpoint gets extremely crowded during the day, there tend to be fewer people in the evening. However, as it is the most popular viewpoint in Meteora, you certainly won’t be the only one there.
Day 2
Summary: Today’s plan is to visit the Monastery of the Holy Trinity, explore the town of Theopetra, and see a cave that isn’t typical for the Meteora region. You’ll find parking spots along the roadside.
Monastery of the Holy Trinity
The Monastery of the Holy Trinity is a truly amazing place to visit. Reaching it is a bit of a challenge, as you have to climb about 145 steps carved directly into the rock, but the effort is completely worth it. The monastery is often uncrowded and features stunning viewpoints, beautiful gardens, and a lovely courtyard.
Located just a 10-minute walk from Agios Stefanos monastery, the Monastery of Holy Trinity is situated atop a stunning pillar-like rock that rises approximately 300 meters above Kalabaka. For those interested in exploring further, the old trail once used by the monks can be found at the base of the cliff, providing a fascinating path down to the town of Kalabaka. You can use this path to reach the monastery on foot from the town or the other way around. Read more about it at Visit Meteora.
Monastery of the Holy Trinity working times
Summer Schedule (April 1st to October 31st) – 10:00 – 16:00 (4:00 PM)
Closed on Thursdays!
Winter Schedule (November 1st to March 31st) – 10:00 – 16:00 (4:00 PM)
Closed on Thursdays!
Theopetra town AND tHEOPETRA CAVE
Theopetra is a small town approximately 10-15 minutes from Kalabaka, in the town you will find Documentation and Education Centre of Theopetra Cave some more monasteries and maybe a walk through the town will turn to one of the most authentic adventures in Meteora.
The Prehistoric Cave of Theopetra is the most immortant archaeological site in town. Long before Meteora’s cliffs became sacred ground for monks, they sheltered something even more ancient: Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens. The Theopetra Cave, just 5 km from Kalabaka, is one of the oldest known archaeological sites in Europe, offering a direct window into the dawn of civilization. During excavations, archaeologists were able to find many burials, stone tools, pottery, animal bones, as well as the oldest known man-made structure on earth, officially dated to this day. Read more about it at Visit Meteora.
Museum Visiting Hours and Days: 8.00 am – 15.30 pm (Tuesday closed).
Meteora Practical Info
Map of Meteora itinerary
How To Use The Map:
Click the tab in the top left-hand corner of the map to view the layers (pins on maps with places such as swimming spots and beaches, parking, restaurants, towns, ticket offices, etc.)
You can click the check marks to hide or show layers. If you click the icons on the map, you can get more information about each pinned point.
If you click the star next to the title of the map, this map will be added to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places,” click Maps, and you will see this map on your list.
Meteora Monasteries: Opening Hours & Closing Days
Summer Schedule (April 1st to October 31st)
| Monastery | Working days | Closed on |
|---|---|---|
| The Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron | 9:30 – 15:00 (3:00 PM) | Tuesdays |
| The Holy Monastery of Varlaam | 9:00 – 16:00 (4:00 PM) | Fridays |
| The Holy Monastery of Rousanou | 9:00 – 15:30 (3:30 PM) | Wednesdays |
| The Holy Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapafsas | 9:00 – 17:00 (5:00 PM) | Open Daily |
| The Holy Monastery of the Holy Trinity | 10:00 – 16:00 (4:00 PM) | Thursdays |
| The Holy Monastery of St. Stephen | 9:00 – 13:30 (1:30 PM) & 15:30 – 17:30 (3:30 PM – 5:30 PM) | Mondays |
Winter Schedule (November 1st to March 31st)
| Monastery | Working days | Closed on |
|---|---|---|
| The Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron | 9:30 – 14:00 (2:00 PM) | Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays |
| The Holy Monastery of Varlaam | 9:00 – 15:00 (3:00 PM) | Thursdays, Fridays |
| The Holy Monastery of Rousanou | 9:30 – 14:00 (2:00 PM) | Wednesdays |
| The Holy Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapafsas | 9:00 – 16:00 (4:00 PM) | Open Daily |
| The Holy Monastery of the Holy Trinity | 10:00 – 16:00 (4:00 PM) | Thursdays |
| The Holy Monastery of St. Stephen | 9:30 – 13:00 (1:00 PM) & 15:00 – 17:00 (3:00 PM – 5:00 PM) | Mondays |
When on vacation, always remember:
Travel and exploration are all about the joy of discovery. So, always leave room for the unexpected on your journeys and remember – Leave No Trace Principles. You never know what delightful surprises await you!
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